Harmony School, 1991, Page 145

Description:	Kate Robertoi ’’John Gll“eyThe W Program145\ t£The Harmony Independent Program (HIP) was established this fall as a secondHarmony High School based on an individualized, independent studycurriculum. The program was developed to meet the needs of those studentswho are more successful in one-on-one meetings with teachers, cannot attendfull-time day school due to jobs or other factors, teen parents who lack childcare, and others who, for whatever reason, need an alternative to the dayschool. HIP has had 10 students its first year and 3 staff people. As with anynew program, there are a multitude of obstacles to overcome. HIP continues toevolve and we are all learning how to structure this new program so that thestudents can succeed and everyone feels good about classes, curriculum andprogram dynamics.Curriculum is determined by the staff and students together. Thestudents are given an outline of general courses they will need to accomplish tograduate. From this outline the students, working with the staff, develop coursedescriptions which mesh student interests with Harmony and Indiana statecurriculum requirements. Many of these courses are interdisciplinary and allrequire a substantial amount of independent research. The HIP students aregaining expertise in research skills and familiarity with the LU. library.The students are also struggling to learn that this program requires atremendous amount of personal responsibility and self-motivation as they needto determine their own study times; No teacher is there everyday to remindthem to do their homework. HIP students and staff are learning together thelimits on our expectations and the balance between independent study andteacher-supervised work time.Despite the struggle and frustrations inherent in building a newprogram, this has been a rewarding year. We are confident that HIP will becomea model alternative program.c
Source:	http://cdm17129.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/hs-harmony/id/349
Collection:	Harmony School

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